If you’re heading to Newport for Riverfest, plan to arrive early and don’t count on your usual route home.
This year’s Western & Southern / WEBN Fireworks is happening on Sept. 6. The annual event draws thousands to the Ohio Riverfront for a day filled with live music and entertainment, culminating in a drone show at 9:01 p.m., followed by the fireworks. This is a 40-minute display, adding an additional 10 minutes from previous years.
To help everyone enjoy the festivities safely, the Newport Police Department has provided the following information regarding event regulations, traffic and public safety.
To maintain safety and order during Riverfest, attendees are asked to adhere to the following rules:
Beverages: Outside beverages, including alcohol, are prohibited. Parents with infants may bring water, milk or formula.
Prohibited Items: Coolers, grills, tents, large umbrellas, oversized chairs and backpacks are not allowed in Festival Park.
Mobility Devices: Roller skates, rollerblades, scooters, motorized vehicles and bicycles are prohibited within the venue area.
Pets: Pets are not permitted, except for service animals.
Parking: Illegal parking (on expressways, medians, road shoulders, ramps, or no-parking zones) is strictly prohibited and will be enforced.
Drones and devices: Drones, remote-controlled electronics, flying objects, laser pointers, and light-emitting devices are not allowed.
Soliciting: Soliciting north of 4th Street requires a Special Riverfest Vendors License issued for the event.
Bridge and Road Closures: Plan your riverfront location (Newport or Cincinnati) before 6 p.m., when most road and bridge closures begin. The Purple People Bridge closes to the public at the Kentucky and Ohio border at 8 a.m. Pedestrian access on the Taylor Southgate Bridge closes at 7:30 p.m.
Arrival and departure: Arrive early due to limited parking and road closures. Expect significant delays when leaving due to heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Attire and safety: Dress for the weather and consider hearing protection for small children due to the loud fireworks.
Traffic and street closures
To accommodate the large crowds, the following closures will be in effect on Sept. 6:
- Riverboat Row (west of Port of Entry to Dave Cowens Dr.): Closes at 8 a.m.
- Columbia Street (north of 3rd St.): Closes at 8 a.m.
- Purple People Bridge: Closes at 8 a.m., reopens at 2 a.m. on Sept. 7.
- Taylor Southgate Bridge (Vehicular): Closes at 6 p.m.
- Taylor Southgate Bridge (Pedestrian East): Closes at 9 a.m.
- Taylor Southgate Bridge (Pedestrian West): Closes at 7:30 p.m.
- Monmouth Street (3rd St. to 11th St.): Closes at 7:30 p.m. No parking after 6:30 p.m.
- Dave Cowens Drive: Closes at 7:30 p.m.
- I-471 Ramps to Route 8 (Exit 5): Closes at 7:30 p.m. (north and south).
- 10th Street (between Saratoga and York St.): Closes at 7:30 p.m.
- All Other I-471 Ramps: Close at 8:30 p.m.
- Licking Pike (Route 9) North at Aspen Dr.: Closes at 9 p.m.
I-471 North will remain open unless safety concerns require closure.
Departure guidelines
Post-event traffic will be managed to ensure safety and efficiency:
- All traffic will be directed to I-471 or I-275. Follow instructions even if the route differs from your preferred path; you can adjust your route once on the interstate.
- Monmouth Street reopens at approximately 9 p.m. as a one-way southbound route to I-471.
- Traffic west of York Street will be directed south to 12th Street, which will operate as a one-way westbound route to I-275.
- Traffic near Dave Cowens Drive will be routed to I-471 North or South.
- Traffic from Riverboat Row and Levee Garage on Columbia Street must turn right onto W. 3rd Street, leading to the 4th Street Roundabout and toward Wilder (AA Highway or I-275 East/West).
- GPS advisory: Turn off GPS navigation while in the event area to avoid conflicts with temporary traffic patterns.
Accessibility
Handicap parking is available on the 200 block of Columbia Street, adjacent to the Flats on the Row apartment complex, to accommodate individuals with disabilities.